Aikido Seattle: Events

Upcoming Events

April 3 - May 31. Aikido Seattle Spring Beginner Series.
October 26-28, 2012. Jan Nevelius Sensei, 6th Dan Aikikai.

Past Events at the Dojo

April 13-15, 2012. Seishiro Endo Shihan, 8th Dan, Aikikai, Hombu Dojo. We had another great turn out from around the world for our Sensei, Seishiro Endo Shihan. Among other things, he stressed the importance to know the building blocks of the kata -- for instance, to know how to deliver a clear and powerful attack. But he also emphasized equally the need to free ourselves from our prisons and find our own Aikido.
October 28-30, 2011. Jan Nevelius Sensei, 6th Dan, Aikikai. Students came from as far away as Florida, California and Canada. Nevelius Sensei taught a lively series of classes that had a clear progression. We started with nage making a clear connection to uke's center before any movement could occur. The techniques built upon this basic start. When we progressed to performing techniques, all were powerful and dynamic and had clear connection. We focused on principles that involved working around the axis while keeping good musubi.

Nevelius Sensei has a playful sense of humor and everyone had a great time! He will be back again next year the weekend of October 26-28. It will be his tenth year coming to Seattle! We hope to see you then.
September 9-11, 2011. Matti Joensuu, 6th Dan, taught a spirited seminar emphasizing a relaxed but clear focus. Students were consistently encouraged to stay within a central axis while establishing and keeping connection (musubi) with uke. Throws were never forced, and instead nage's were encouraged to follow the intent of the uke. The relationship between open hand aikido and bokken was demonstrated, and a smooth and consistent flow of ki was promoted.
April 8-10, 2011. Japan Relief Seminar with Miranda Saarentaus Sensei, 6th Dan from Akari Aikido, Finland.
Thank you to all who attended and contributed to the recent seminar with Miranda Saarentaus sensei. Nearly 60 people came to some part of the seminar. We were able to send almost $3400 to Japan for earthquake and tsunami relief. Much thanks also goes to Saarentaus Sensei, who graciously offered to come after Endo Sensei had to cancel his trip to Seattle at the last moment. Her seminar was full of flow and connection, and was a wonderful event. The entire aikido community really showed up to support those in need. Thank you to everyone for the part they played in making this seminar one that we will all remember.
January 14-16, 2011. Leichman Sensei traveled to New Orleans to teach at NOLA. This was the first seminar held at the new dojo of Brian Levy, and the dojo was celebrated accordingly.
January 7-9, 2011. Glenn Leichman and Charles Colten, Chief Instructor of Aikido in the Schools, taught a joint seminar at Aikido Seattle. They focused on the role of musubi and alignment in dynamic balance.
December 10-11, 2010. Chief Instructor Glenn Leichman taught at Aikido of Tamalpais on the role of musubi on soft ukemi.
October 25-31, 2010. Jan Nevelius Sensei, 6th Dan Aikikai, from Vanadis aikido in Stockholm, taught classes in a number of local dojos, and then led a weekend seminar at Seattle Central Community College. Over 40 aikidoka attended the weekend and were treated to some new material that Nevelius Sensei has been working on. The focus was on creating different solutions to aikido waza, remaining on the inside and working directly with the line of attack. The teaching was inspired and has provided us all with bountiful areas for future exploration. Nevelius Sensei will be back in seattle again next fall.
September 10-12, 2010. The seminar with Matti Joensuu, 6th Dan Aikikai, focused on center connections and unbalancing, and worked with the tonto a great deal. The seminar was quite focused and we were able to deeply explore aiki principles. As Matti Sensei said, "It" was there! Matti will return to Seattle again next year. We will provide more details about his classes in the near future.
April 16-18, 2010. The seminar with our Sensei, Seishiro Endo Shihan, 8th Dan, Aikikai, from Hombu Dojo, Tokyo was very successful. Over 70 aikidoka attended coming from as far as New York, Philadelphia and California. Endo Sensei presented new material with a special focus on calm and centered practice. He enjoyed his stay in Seattle and will return again next April.